Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Cassandra Freeman.
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been a Children’s Librarian for DC Public Library for the past two and a half years. Before that, I was a Library Associate at the Chicago Public Library while I was in graduate school at the University of Illinois’ Graduate School of Library and Information Science. I work in an extremely busy neighborhood branch of DCPL in a community full of children of all ages. Our neighborhood especially has a lot of little ones under the age of three, which is fortuitous as I love working with babies and am passionate about creating early literacy development opportunities for these tiny little learners. It is so rewarding to see how quickly they learn and grow!
2. Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?
I joined ALSC because it seemed to be the best way to get started in and involved with ALA as a Children’s Librarian. I am also a member of PLA. Being relatively new to the career of librarianship, I joined these divisions so that I could create connections with and learn from other librarians. I have always considered one of my roles as a librarian as being a lifelong learner!
3. Do you have any big plans in the coming weeks/months?
In fact, I do! I will be changing many diapers as my husband and I will be welcoming our first child, a baby boy, to the world sometime towards the end of this month. I think it’s funny when other parents and caretakers make comments that I will be a great mother since I’m so “experienced” with babies. We’ll see! I have a feeling that taking care of one baby 24/7 is going to be a very different experience than leading a 25 minute storytime for 75 babies! Either way, I cannot wait to experience motherhood!
4. Do you ever attend library conferences?
I just recently returned from my first-ever conference, Midwinter in Boston! It was a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to go to another. I was 33 weeks pregnant at the time so I was just pushing the envelope on travel limitations, but I’m very glad I waddled my way over there. Awarded with the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Bill Morris Seminar Book Evaluation Training, I was able to meet and learn from many extremely intelligent librarians and book award committee members and chairs. I am beyond grateful for this unique learning experience.
5. What was your favorite book as a child?
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and it still is one of my favorite books to this day. The whole series makes me feel warm and cozy and grateful for my family. It is the first book I can remember my mom reading to me before bed, before I could read independently. I still sometimes reread it when I’m feeling nostalgic!
6. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Both! I grew up with cats, but since my husband is allergic to those furry creatures, we have two dogs whom I just adore. Cats are a lot easier to take care of than dogs, but nothing really beats the love you get from a dog. Oliver is our two year old mini labradoodle. He is extremely smart and sensitive, and would be happy cuddling and sleeping on your lap for 24 hours a day. Pepper is our 9 month old goldendoodle, and she is a complete goofball. Her tail is always wagging and she would be happy playing fetch for 24 hours a day if she was allowed.
7. Have you ever told someone that a book would “change their life?” What book was it?
I’m sure we’ve all heard this before, but J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series WILL change your life. It certainly changed literature and the childhood of an entire generation, my own included! Whenever I see people checking out Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stonefor the first time, I feel a bit of a thrill for the reading journey that they are about to embark upon, the magical world that they are about to enter purely through words and language! The Harry Potter series has an incredible ability to get readers of all ages immersed in the magic and joy that reading can bring. I truly believe it has the ability to change lives by getting people to love the act of reading.
8. Are you a participant in the recent “adult coloring” craze?
Absolutely! Our library’s “Adult Coloring Club” program is the most highly attended adult program this branch has seen since I have worked here. And I am going to be one of those annoying people who eagerly claims that they were coloring long before it was cool. I was actually coloring when it was pretty un-cool. I’ve always found it to be a very relaxing, centering activity. And I’m also a five year old at heart.
9. What’s your favorite riddle or joke?
Two atoms are walking down the street. One says to the other, “Hey! I think I lost an electron!” The other says, “Are you sure?” To which the other atom replies, “Yes! I’m POSITIVE!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told this joke. And I’m usually delivering it terribly because I’m laughing so hard before I even get to the punchline.
10. What do you think libraries will look like fifty years from now?
While libraries play a significant role in new technology and making those technologies accessible to the community, I think that the general public will be surprised at how much library services will remain consistent over the years. No technology is ever going to replace the wonderful human interactions and smiles we get during storytime, or the crisp pages of a brand new book! And anyone who ever said libraries are in danger of becoming obsolete has not been in my library’s children’s room at 3:30 pm on a school day.
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Thanks, Cassie! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature!
Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to alscblog@gmail.com; we’ll see what we can do.